Bob Marley, A True Man

Nesta Robert Marley, born Feb 6, 1945, died 30 years ago today.  Many people think Exodus is the gold standard of music, me be one of those.  But, Bob's greatness doesn't stop there.  I dare you to go check out his Live at the Roxy disc, or Rastaman Vibration, or songs like War and Trenchtown Rock.  It is almost impossible to not be in a great mood when listening to Bob.  

His born name Nesta Robert Marley, was later changed on a Jamaican passport to Robert Nesta Marley, and stayed like that.  I am guessing that was Bob's doing, but not sure.  He had a white father from that migrated to Jamaica from England, and a black mother and lived Nine Mile Jamaica as a child.  

Some interesting facts about Bob: 

The Wailers actually broke up and were not with Bob from 1974 on, even thought Bob continued to record as Bob Marley & the Wailers. 

He was shot in '76, but just received minor wounds.  

He left Jamaica later in '76 and wrote Exodus and Kaya, later to return to Jamaica in '78 for a One Love Peace Concert to unite a civil war torn country.

He died of the spread of skin cancer in 1981 while on his way back from Germany (where he was getting treated) to Jamaica.  On a stop in Miami he was rushed to the U of Miami hospital and died the next day, May 11, 1981 at the age of 36.

His last words were to his son Ziggy "money can't buy life".

He was buried with his Les Paul.

One Love.

references can be found here

What makes Florida such a great state you may ask?  It has it all, or at least everything you need.  It has a rich history from early Native American inhabitants such as the Apalachee, Tocobaga, Clausa, and Tequesta to name a few.  The western Europeans came in the early 1500's, that is when Ponce De Leon dubbed it "La Florida" (flowery land).  Needless to say that name kinda stuck.  The Spanish "gifted" Florida to the US in exchange for American's taking no claims on Texas after the La. Purchase, and a some of $5 million.  It was the 27th state in 1845.  Flagler's railroad also had a great impact on the state, along with some Cubans, a swamp, a tropical folk singer, Crocket and Tubbs, and more.
Florida has a diverse culture, rednecks to the north, blue hairs to the east and west, a mouse in the center, Cubans at the south, and half nude college kids in the panhandle (at least for one month a year).
The weather is fantastic, no snow, breezy, no snow, lots of sunshine (it is the Sunshine State afterall).  It is considered humid subtropical in most of the state, but the coastal areas are considered to have a true tropical climate (via wikipedia).  There are beautiful thunderstorms and waterspouts to be seen all year long.  And the warmth of the summer is an invitation to start drinking at any time of day!  Issues: the bugs, hurricanes, and the BO kinda suck though.  

Some Facts that make Florida fantastic:
Florida also has the distinction of being shaped like a fallals, so thats makes it a manly place to be.
Great college football and baseball teams.
The world's most famous mouse resides in Florida.
The coral canals of Coral Gables
The beautiful vegetation
The ability to see gators while golfing (is that a good thing?)
They brew Landshark Lager in Jacksonville, Fl.
You can get to the Conch Republic by driving through Florida.
The Keys!
You have a cousin in Miami.
Coconut Grove
The Intercostal waterway.
US 1
Daytona International Speedway
The second Yuengling brewery.
I went to college there!


 Even thought I don't live there, I call Florida my home and now you know why.